Poly[[μ3‐2‐(carboxylatomethyl)benzoato‐κ3O1:O2:O2]bis(1H‐imidazole‐κN3)copper(II)]

In the title polymeric compound, [Cu(C₉H₆O₄)(C₃H₄N₂)₂]_n, the copper(II) cation occupies an N₂O₃ coordination sphere defined by two 1H‐imidazole (imid) ligands in trans positions and three carboxylate O atoms from three different 2‐(carboxylatomethyl)benzoate (hpt²⁻) dianions. The geometry is that of a square pyramid with one of the O atoms at the apex, bridging neighbouring metal centres into an [–ON₂CuO₂CuN₂O–] dinuclear unit. These units are in turn connected by hpt anions into a reticular mesh topologically characterized by two types of loops, viz. a four‐membered Cu₂O₂ diamond motif and a 32‐membered Cu₄O₈C₂₀ ring. The imid groups do not take part in the formation of the two‐dimensional structure, but take part in the N—H...O interactions. These arise only within individual planes, interplanar interactions being only of the van der Waals type.